TJ Holland Program on Cherokee History

Partial Transcript: •The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes.

•The other two recognized tribes are the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and the United Keetoowah Band (UKB) out of Oklahoma.

•The Eastern Band works with these tribes through agreements and joint councils for language preservation and education purposes.

•The UKB broke off from the Cherokee Nation and received separate recognition in 1992.

•The separation can be traced back to the Chickamauga Cherokee who broke off from the Overhill towns in East Tennessee in 1776.

•This led to the removal period in 1820 when a group called the Old Settlers joined the UKB in Oklahoma.

•There was friction between the UKB and the Cherokee Nation, leading to the UKB becoming a separate entity.

•There is a history of disagreements and conflicts within the Cherokee tribes, which is a part of their traditional way of handling disputes.

•The Cherokee people would leave their town and either join another like-minded town or create a new one if there were enough of them.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Tribes and History

Keywords: Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; Chickamauga Cherokee; United Keetoowah Band; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Subjects: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes, works with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and the United Keetowah Band for language preservation and education purposes. The Eastern Band discusses history and current affairs with the intention of answering questions and providing insights into their culture and relations with other Cherokee tribes.

Partial Transcript: •Linguists have identified three separate dialects within the Cherokee language: the Lower, Middle, and Overhill dialects.

•The Lower dialect, spoken in South Carolina and Alabama, disappeared 200 years ago and had distinct linguistic features, such as an 'r' sound.

•The Middle towns were located in Western North Carolina. The Overhill dialect was spoken in Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama.

•Snowbird, located in Graham County, is about 50 miles away from Qualla Boundary and has a different dialect from Cherokee, NC, and Oklahoma.

•The Snowbird dialect shares certain sounds and written forms with other dialects but has different pronunciations and word choices.

Segment Synopsis: The Impact of Language and Geography on Cherokee Dialects

Keywords: Middle towns dialect; Overhill dialect; Lower dialect

Subjects: The speaker discusses the dialects of the Cherokee language that have evolved over time and were categorized into three separate dialects: the Lower, Middle, and Overhill.

Partial Transcript: •The Eastern Band of Cherokees was able to stay in their ancestral homelands during the removal efforts of 1838.

•In 1815, Mount Tambora erupted as a super volcano, causing a huge ash cloud and resulting in the "year without a summer" in 1816.

•The Cherokee Nation, as a whole, had to rely on federal government food subsidies due to the effects of the volcanic eruption.

•The federal government attempted to take Cherokee lands in the aftermath of the eruption and the subsequent need for food subsidies.

•The Treaty of 1817 involved the exchange of land between different regions within Arkansas.

•The treaty was supplemented by the Treaty of 1819.

•Article Eight of the Treaty of 1817 allowed those who were adverse to removing to sign onto a provision and receive one square mile of land.

•A caveat to Article Eight was that signing the treaty would result in the loss of citizenship to the Cherokee Nation.

•The Cherokee Nation had recently formed as a political unit and abolished the clan system.

•The Cherokee Nation established a council with a chief and vice chief, replacing the previous system of town leaders.

•However, some Cherokees in North Carolina disagreed with the laws and decisions made by the Cherokee Nation.

•Around forty heads of households in North Carolina signed onto a provision to preserve their ancient towns and hold onto their land claims.

•The federal government sent a surveyor to survey the 664-acre plots in the claimed areas.

•The state also sent their own surveyor due to miscommunication between the federal government and the states.

•There was a land lottery announced in the press in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Segment Synopsis: Treaty of 1817 and Land Claims by Cherokees in North Carolina

Keywords: Mount Tambora; Treaty of 1817; Treaty of 1819; clan system; land lottery; miscommunication; ancestral homelands

Subjects: The Treaty of 1817, following the need for federal food subsidies for the Cherokee Nation, allowed Cherokees to receive one square mile of land in exchange for signing on to the treaty, but they would lose citizenship to the Cherokee Nation. A group of 40 Cherokees signed on, taking land claims in North Carolina, trying to preserve ancient towns.

Partial Transcript: •In the early 1800s, individuals participated in a state-sanctioned auction and purchased land, resulting in the eviction of Cherokee Indians.

•A group of Cherokee Indians sued the state of North Carolina in 1824, leading to a case known as Euchella v. Welch.

•The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee, acknowledging their federal treaty rights and stating that the state could not disregard these treaties.

•However, since the land had already been purchased through a state-sanctioned auction, it could not be returned to the Cherokee.

•To reach a resolution, the state agreed to compensate the Cherokee for the value of their property and allowed them to relocate elsewhere within the state.

•The question emerged as to whether it was legal for a Cherokee Indian to hold land in their own name in 1824.

•To navigate this issue, the Cherokee enlisted the help of William Holland Thomas, a white man who served as their power of attorney.

•Although Thomas was not the chief of the Cherokee, he was often referred to as such.

•Using the settlement money, Thomas purchased a large tract of land in Cherokee, North Carolina, primarily concentrated where the Oconaluftee River met Soco Creek.

•The boundary of the Cherokee Nation after the treaty was drawn established the eastern boundary along the Nantahala River and the northern boundary as the Little Tennessee River.

•Almond, North Carolina, served as the northeast boundary of the nation.

Segment Synopsis: Euchella v. Welch and the Land Ownership Dilemma for the Cherokee Indians in 1824

Keywords: Nantahala River; Oconaluftee River; Soco Creek; William Holland Thomas; Euchella v. Welch

Subjects: In 1824, Cherokee people sued the state of North Carolina over land issues, leading to the Euchella vs. Welch case. The state supreme court ruled in favor of the Cherokee, and a white man, William Holland Thomas, became the tribe's attorney and used settlement money to buy a large tract of land near the Nantahala River and the Little Tennessee River.

Partial Transcript: •The Eastern Band Cherokees were not within the confines of the nation during the time of their removal in 1838.

•The Cherokees claimed citizenship based on the treaties of 1817 and 1819, which legally exempted them from removal.

•The establishment of six forts in Western North Carolina in 1838 led to the forced relocation of the Cherokees.

•A commander of one of the forts conducted censuses and gathered military intelligence on the Cherokees.

•The army gathered every man, woman, and child from their houses and counted them off on the census to prevent anyone from hiding.

•The army threatened to arrest the Cherokees and force them to move west if they did not comply.

•The head man of Qualla Town, Yonaguska (Drowning Bear), requested three days to consult with his town before giving a decision.

•During the three-day period, the men of Qualla Town visited Drowning Bear and collectively decided they had to lead the scout groups but did not have to find anybody.

•When the army returned, the Cherokees agreed to lead the scout groups and took them into the Blue Ridge Mountains.

•The region mentioned is Snowbird, inhabited by the Nantahala people.

•The army was involved in some way, and they led scout groups but didn't find anyone.

Segment Synopsis: The Removal of Eastern Band Cherokees in North Carolina

Keywords: Blue Ridge Mountains; Nantahala; Qualla Town; Yonaguska (Drowning Bear),; scout groups; census

Subjects: In the 1830s, during the forced removal of Cherokee people from the southeast, some in Western North Carolina claimed citizenship based on treaties, thus escaping removal. The army counted these people and forced them to lead scout groups to find hidden citizens, but they ultimately didn't find anyone, allowing a small Eastern Band of Cherokee to remain in the area today.

Partial Transcript: •There are three federally recognized Cherokee tribes and over three hundred organizations claiming Cherokee identity.

•Unrecognized tribes may exist, but they are not acknowledged or associated with the federally recognized tribes.

•Many individuals in the United States claim Indian ancestry, with a significant portion claiming Cherokee heritage.

•Being federally recognized as an Indian provides certain benefits, including healthcare and travel sovereignty.

•State taxes do not apply within tribal boundaries, but tribal taxes may apply.

•The concept of Indian identity is an ongoing dialogue.

•The speaker hopes to dispel misconceptions and shed light on Cherokee history and identity.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee History and Federally Recognized Tribes

Keywords: taxes; misconceptions

Subjects: The history of federally recognized Cherokee tribes in the United States was discussed, highlighting the fact that there are only three main tribes recognized by the government and outlining the benefits of being a federally recognized tribe. The misconceptions and ongoing dialogue about what it means to be an Indian was also touched upon.

Partial Transcript: •The speaker emphasizes that they are not representing the Eastern Band or the Cherokee community, and they barely represent themselves.

•The question is raised about how someone can be Cherokee while living in New York, highlighting the importance of knowing and connecting to the geographical location.

•The speaker mentions being aware of why the Eastern Band and the UKB (United Keetoowah Band) are in their respective positions.

•The idea of acknowledging distant family members as part of the tribe, even without personal knowledge of them, is discussed.

•The speaker encourages pride in having Cherokee heritage and belonging to a tribe, rather than focusing on personal identity.

•The concept of personal ceremonies is criticized as defeating the purpose of a ceremony.

•The speaker clarifies that they are not a chief, vice chief, or council member, and humorously expresses being low on the social hierarchy.

•The speaker shares how they found out about an event through a community email, highlighting the interconnectedness and familiarity within the community.

•Teasing is mentioned as a way to keep everyone in check and prevent egotism.

•The speaker brings up a friend who graduated from Harvard but highlights the importance of still being part of the community and not considering oneself better than others.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Identity and Community Connectivity

Keywords: community; teasing; identity

Subjects: The speaker discusses the complexities of being part of a tribe and the importance of staying grounded and connected to one's community. They emphasize that being part of a tribe is a much bigger idea than just having a personal ceremony and that humility and connection to the community are key aspects of being a true community member.

Partial Transcript: •The speaker informs the audience about the geographic range of the Cherokee Indians before the Trail of Tears, suggesting a starting date of 1540.

•The traditional Aboriginal territory of the Cherokee extends from east of the Catawba River to Nashville, Tennessee, covering parts of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia.

•Trade and trading routes existed between the Cherokee and other Indian tribes on the coast of South Carolina and Virginia.

•The town of Swannanoa in North Carolina derived its name from the word Shawnee, indicating trading activities in the area.

•Mica, processed in Franklin, North Carolina, was found in Hopewell Mounds in Illinois and Southern Pennsylvania, indicating a widespread trade network.

•The Cherokee presence in Hendersonville or Henderson County dates back to ancient times, but specific town names are no longer known due to smallpox outbreaks after contact with the Spanish.

•The population of Cherokee towns along the borders decreased significantly due to smallpox and were never resettled.

•Archaeology and material culture provide evidence of Cherokee towns in the area, but specific town names are lost.

•The British mapped Cherokee towns in the late 17th and 18th century, focusing more on towns in Haywood County and to the west.

•The question remains whether the Cherokee can trace their presence accurately.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee history and territory

Keywords: Trail of Tears; mica; smallpox; trade

Subjects: The traditional Aboriginal territory of the Cherokee people spans across the Eastern United States, and they had established trade and training routes with other tribes. The Cherokee presence can be traced back to various locations, but specific town names have been lost over time.

Partial Transcript: •The migration of the Cherokee people and their origins pose a challenging question to answer.

•The Western concept of war differs from the native concept, where war was a seasonal activity to release pent-up energy.

•The ancestral relationship between the Cherokee and Seneca tribes involved frequent conflicts and exchanges.

•The Western concept of war as a means to acquire resources contrasts with the native belief of abundance and sharing.

•Movement and migration among different Native American tribes occurred throughout history.

•Interactions between tribes often involved taking prisoners, who would then marry into the captor's tribe.

•The term "full-blood Cherokee" is a construct imposed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for categorization.

•The federal government tracks blood degree in tribes, along with horses and cattle.

•Historical accounts, such as Charles Hicks' writings, mention migrations and the movement of groups into the region.

Segment Synopsis: Migration and Ancestry of the Cherokee People

Keywords: "full-blood Cherokee"; Seneca tribe; migration

Subjects: The origins of the Cherokee people remain a complex subject, with migration and intermingling with other tribes over time. The traditional concept of war differs from the Western approach, emphasizing coexistence rather than domination. While the Cherokee recognize ancestors from various migrations, their identity has been shaped by federal policies that categorize them based on blood degree.

Partial Transcript: •Archaeological evidence supports the presence of Cherokee ancestors dating back over ten thousand years.

•There is a theory about a land bridge that existed in antiquity, allowing migration from Bering Sea to different parts of the world.

•A well-known organization published a book claiming that Paleo-Americans are not American Indians, suggesting that American Indians killed someone for them to be present.

•Native people migrated to the area around 25,000 years ago and settled in, leading to population shifts over time.

•Some tribes have migration stories, while others have written records of movements and interactions with other tribes.

•The Iroquois and the speaker's tribe have similarities in language and governmental structure.

•There has been no recent research on the commonalities between tribes and their relationships.

•The speaker's tribe acknowledges a relationship with the Six Nations of the Iroquois.

•The Iroquois include the Onondaga, Seneca, Mohawk, Tuscarora, and possibly others.

•There are geographically distant tribes with whom the speaker's tribe does not have a relationship, but they recognize a longstanding interaction between them.

•The speaker does not differentiate break-off groups from the Six Nations; they are simply recognized as part of the larger group.

Segment Synopsis: The Migration of Native Peoples and Intertribal Relationships

Keywords: Bering Sea; Iroquois; migration; population shifts; land bridge

Subjects: The speaker discusses theories about the origin of Paleo-Americans. It also touches upon migration stories, inter-tribal relationships, and the Iroquois' similarities with other tribes. The Six Nations mentioned are the Onondaga, Seneca, Mohawk, Tuscarora, and Eries, with some break-off groups like the Lakotas.

Partial Transcript: •Mound Builders played a significant role in early history

•Cherokee's relationship with Mound Builders involved building mounds in their respective parts of the world

•Use of terminologies like " Mound Builders," "Mississippian," "Woodland" to differentiate different groups of people in archaeology and anthropology

•The presence of different artifacts in layers of excavation may lead to the conclusion of multiple civilizations, but there is a belief that many people can trace their roots back to this part of the world

•In Cherokee country, people were not buried in mounds, unlike other parts of the country

•Concept of Indian burial grounds and burying people near their homes in history for practical reasons

•Mounds in larger towns served as the location for the Council House in Cherokee culture.

•Towns in flood plains are built on mounds for protection.

•The Council House was a structure that housed multiple important community buildings.

•Indian burial grounds are actually towns in this region.

Segment Synopsis: Relationship of Mound Builders to Cherokee Culture

Keywords: Council House; Mississippian; Woodland; anthropology; archaeology; Mound Builders

Subjects: The speaker discusses the concept of Mound Builder cultures and their relationship to the Cherokee people. The author believes that there is a connection between the Cherokee and the Mound Builder cultures and that the same people have been living in the same area for a long time.

Partial Transcript: •The Eastern Band of Cherokees has less than 300 fluent speakers left.

•The Kituwah Preservation and Education Program is the tribe's language program.

•The program includes a daycare, preschool, and elementary school with Cherokee immersion.

•Immersion classes have only been available for the past ten years.

•The immersion structure includes teaching through the Cherokee syllabary.

•Language revitalization efforts include collaboration with the UKB and creation of new words for modern concepts.

•Math is also taught in the Cherokee language.

•Language revitalization efforts are underway to revive and preserve indigenous languages.

•The process of language revival requires significant effort and time.

•Collaboration between tribes is crucial for language preservation.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Language Revitalization Efforts

Keywords: immersion; Kituwah Preservation and Education Program

Subjects: The Cherokee language is struggling with less than 300 fluent speakers, so the tribe has implemented a language preservation program in schools, offering immersion classes and language education in various communities. The program aims to teach math and other subjects in the Cherokee language, creating new words as needed.

Partial Transcript: •Education standards for Native American tribes are determined by the state they reside in.

•Sovereignty of Native American tribes is recognized, but they ultimately answer to the federal government.

•State guidelines for education include standardized tests like EOG tests that may not cover indigenous languages.

•Immersion schools teach English curriculum in addition to the indigenous language.

•Finding arrowheads on a property indicates a historical presence of indigenous communities.

•Pottery and other material culture may also be found in areas where arrowheads are discovered.

Segment Synopsis: Education Standards for Native American Tribes

Keywords: arrowheads; pottery; immersion schools

Subjects: The collaboration between the three Cherokee nations has been in place for decades, with joint council meetings held regularly. A rich history of material culture, including arrowheads and pottery, suggests the presence of multiple ancient houses in the area.

Partial Transcript: •In the Cherokee tribe, women held significant positions in society.

•The original system of society was matrilineal, based on clans passed down from the mother's side.

•Women owned houses, farms, and children.

•There were levels of leadership, including head women who made decisions on behalf of their towns or in the council house.

•During the colonial period, the British were surprised by the presence of women in leadership positions and questioned the seriousness of the Cherokee government.

•Women had control over household matters, including divorce.

•Women could also participate in war, and those who fought earned the title of war woman and gained respect as they grew older.

Segment Synopsis: Women's Position in the Cherokee Tribe

Keywords: War Woman; divorce; head women; war; matrilineal

Subjects: In Cherokee society, women held significant positions of power, owning homes, farms, and children. The Cherokee had a matrilineal system with seven recognized clans passed down from the mother's side. Women could also attain the rank of War Woman, which gained them respect as they got older.

Partial Transcript: •Beloved women and pretty women were the same, with some translation variations in English.

•Beloved women and men were individuals who were respected and seen as reliable advisors.

•Beloved women held control over prisoners during war campaigns, deciding their fate.

•Beloved men were warriors who were no longer able to fight and were consulted for their counsel.

•The younger generation has shown an increased interest in maintaining traditional Cherokee practices.

•The dominant culture historically discouraged the preservation of Cherokee traditions.

•Young people, especially those in immersion schools, are actively learning the Cherokee language and worldview.

•The interest in preserving Cherokee culture cuts across different age groups.

Segment Synopsis: Beloved Women and Men, Tradition, and Cultural Revival

Keywords: beloved men; traditions; worldview; beloved women

Subjects: Cherokee society revered older, reliable individuals as beloved women and men, who had authority over prisoners and were consulted during important decisions. Younger generations are increasingly interested in preserving traditional values, with many attending immersion schools to learn the language and worldview.

Partial Transcript: •The casino generates revenue for the tribe, which is then divided between tribal government, tribal operations, and per capita distribution among the Eastern Band's members.

•Tribal operations use the funds to establish language and cultural resource programs.

•The casino funding has enabled the tribe to purchase significant historical sites in Macon County.

•The casino has provided resources for the tribe to reestablish and preserve their heritage.

•In 1987, during a car trip to other Indian tribes, it was observed that young people were facing challenges such as alcohol and possible drug use.

•The speaker was asked if the young people in the Eastern Band have overcome similar issues. The response acknowledges that the tribal community faces the same issues as other communities and has resources to address them.

•The young people of the Eastern Band face similar temptations and influences as their counterparts from other backgrounds.

Segment Synopsis: Structure of Casino Funding and Impact on Tribal Community

Keywords: alcohol; drugs; casino

Subjects: The Eastern Band of Cherokee tribe's casino profits are split between tribal government, operations, and per capita for around 14,000 members. However, the tribe faces the same issues as any other community in Western North Carolina, including substance abuse and negative influences from media.

Partial Transcript: •Traditional medicine and the preservation of knowledge are still important to some individuals.

•The Appalachian herbal medicine is based on native plants found in North America.

•Knowledge of traditional medicine can be gained from books and museum shops.

•The Anglo settlers had to learn how to find remedies from the locals when they arrived in new areas.

•There is a lot to learn about Cherokee culture and medicine that is not widely recognized.

•The appointment of the Beloved Man, Jerry Wolfe, was a recent development.

•Nancy Ward is a controversial figure in Cherokee history, with some considering her a traitor.

•The title of Beloved Man or Woman has only been an official title in the past few decades.

•True elders are also considered beloved men and women in Cherokee culture.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Traditional Medicine and Beloved Men and Women

Keywords: Beloved Man; Beloved Woman; Jerry Wolfe; Nancy Ward; elders; traditional medicine

Subjects: The speaker discusses the preservation of traditional medicine and native plant remedies in the Appalachian region, noting their continued relevance in today's society. It also touches on the history of beloved men and women in Cherokee culture, highlighting how recent interpretations have shaped the understanding of these figures.

Partial Transcript: •The concept of seeking advice from others is discussed, particularly in relation to a mentality of delineating between beloved women and men.

•Beloved elders are respected individuals within the community, but their recognition does not necessarily come with government sanction.

•The role of elders is to work hard and contribute to the betterment of the tribe and its communities.

•The construction of a casino is ongoing, with plans to open it next year.

•The speaker does not personally have involvement in the tribe's casino business.

Segment Synopsis: Advice, Beloved Elders, and Casino Updates

Keywords: casino; beloved elders

Subjects: Discussion was made about the importance of elders in the community and how they are respected for their hard work and contributions to making the tribe better.

Partial Transcript: •The speaker shares their personal history, including growing up in Graham County and learning about Cherokee history from their full-blooded grandfather and cousins.

•The speaker initially did not see the value in studying Cherokee history in college but later developed an interest and had access to relevant books through Hunter Library.

•The speaker initially joined their current job as the manager of the Junaluska Museum in Robbinsville.

•The speaker had the opportunity to personally visit the national archives and various other archives to collect material related to Cherokee heritage.

•Working with colleagues from USC Chapel Hill, Georgia Southern University, and other institutions, the speaker conducted research on Cherokee history and culture.

•The speaker emphasizes the importance of firsthand validation for stories and accounts passed down through generations.

•The speaker highlights the significance of finding information in the archives that corroborates the stories and validates their authenticity.

•The speaker aims to share these stories and special places with younger generations and revive the Cherokee tradition.

•The need to verify information before presenting it to ensure accuracy and prevent misrepresentation or misinterpretation is emphasized.

•The question of what percentage of Cherokee heritage is required to claim Cherokee identity or membership in the Eastern Band of Cherokee is raised.

•The speaker identifies as Cherokee and mentions the recognition of their community.

•The requirement of tribal enrollment, possibly through an ancestor on the Baker Roll of 1924, is mentioned as a condition for Eastern Band of Cherokee membership.

Segment Synopsis: Authenticity of Cherokee heritage and the process of validation and recognition

Keywords: Baker Roll of 1924; authenticity; tribal enrollment; Hunter library

Subjects: The speaker discusses his personal history, growing up in a small community with full-blooded relatives. The goal is to reestablish cultural traditions and ensure accurate representation of the Cherokee heritage. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians requires a certain level of heritage to be recognized as a member.

Partial Transcript: •Ancestors directly linked to the roll books and Baker Roll of 1924 are recognized as a separate federally recognized tribe.

•To be considered part of the Cherokee Nation, one must trace an ancestor directly to the roll books and be one-sixteenth blood degree.

•The UKB recognizes one-quarter or more Cherokee ancestry.

•The roll books and censuses are crucial for establishing Cherokee lineage and can be purchased at museums and bookstores in Cherokee.

•The Baker and Chapman Rolls are important resources for verifying Cherokee ancestry.

•The Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society has copies of the roll books.

•The tribal enrollment can provide additional assistance for a fee.

•Different Native American tribes in the US and Canada have had different experiences with their respective governments.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Ancestry and Roll Books

Keywords: Chapman Roll; census; roll books; tribal enrollment; Baker Roll of 1924

Subjects: The speaker discusses the process of tracing Cherokee ancestry and the importance of roll books and censuses taken throughout the nineteenth century. He mentions the Baker and Chapman Rolls. He also briefly compares the experiences of Native Americans in the US and Canada.

Partial Transcript: •The importance of preserving the Cherokee language is emphasized through immersion schools and summer camps where children are encouraged to speak Cherokee exclusively.

•The immersion technique used to teach the language is likened to starting from scratch and learning the language similar to being a baby.

•The US military's use of immersion techniques to train translators is highlighted as a similar method.

•There is a significant effort being made to preserve the Cherokee language, with many individuals dedicating their energy to this cause.

•The hope is that there will be an increase in Cherokee language speakers over time.

•The Cherokee mindset is described as valuing consensus and reaching agreements that benefit everyone.

•The concept of elevating individuals based on formal education, as seen in Western society, is contrasted with the Cherokee perspective where education does not automatically grant higher status.

•The emphasis is on reaching agreements that benefit the community rather than individual achievements.

Segment Synopsis: Cherokee Language and Culture

Keywords: formal education; language; immersion schools

Subjects: The speaker discusses the challenges faced by Canadian tribes and the efforts to preserve their languages through immersion schools and camps. It also highlights the difference in mindset between the Cherokee people and others, emphasizing the importance of consensus and community in tribal decision-making.

Partial Transcript: •The speaker is the chairman of the Eastern Band's Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Culture.

•Colleges also have IRBs for research projects.

•Researchers must go through the IRB to obtain approval from the Tribal Council.

•The speaker receives 35 to 65 research applications per year.

•Academic freedom and the obligation to answer questions do not exist in their community.

•The approach to nature involves gratitude and respect for everything in nature.

Segment Synopsis: Institutional Review Boards and Cultural Respect

Keywords: Institutional Review Board for Culture

Subjects: The approach to knowledge in their community is different from the Western model, emphasizing respect for nature and gratitude for all natural things created by the Creator.

Partial Transcript: •Personal achievements and titles do not determine a person's respect or value in a community.

•The bottom-up approach of earning respect in a community is emphasized.

•Public education and maintaining cleanliness in public restrooms are important tasks.

•The speaker dismisses the idea that these responsibilities discourage others from seeking education.

•It is emphasized that one's character and their willingness to work for the benefit of others matter more than titles or credentials.

•The dominant culture focuses on material acquisition and constant improvement, while the speaker emphasizes contentment and doing the right thing.

•While financial stability is important, it is not the most important aspect of life.

•The speaker emphasizes the responsibility to honor ancestors and future generations by living a meaningful life.

•Individuals will be judged by their actions and must be accountable for their choices.

Segment Synopsis: Importance of Personal Character and Values in a Community

Keywords: contentment; financial stability; respect; character

Subjects: In the community, respect is earned from the bottom up rather than through formal education or titles. It's about being a good person and considering others, rather than focusing on personal gain.